custom31Lnumber20custom1S/Rweight175positionOFfirst_nameMattyearSeniorhometownManteca, Calif.height5-11collegeModesto JClast_nameBerezay<b>2005 (Junior):</b> <p> In his first year at Pacific, Berezay became a fixture in the middle of the order. He finished the season with 15 HR's, tying Vic Sanchez (1993-94) for the second most long balls in a season. A switch hitter, Matt didn't just hit the ball out of the yard, he had 13 doubles, led the Tigers with four triples and drove in 44 RBI. Berezay also led the Tigers with 42 runs scored and was second on the team with seven stolen bases. A versatile outfielder, Matt played all three positions during his junior season. Following the season, Matt earned All-Big West Honorable Mention. Berezay had his best series at Pacific from May 13-15, going was 7-for-12 (.583) with five home runs, eight RBI and eight runs scored as the Tigers took two of three from Cal State Northridge. Berezay hit his ninth home run of the season the hard way as he hit an inside the park home run in the Tigers' 10-6 loss to UC Riverside on Apr. 30. The previous week, against No. 9 Long Beach State (Apr. 22 and Apr. 23), Berezay was 4-for-6, collecting an RBI in each contest. Matt delivered for the Tigers, regardless of the competition, as he had solo home runs in back-to-back contests on Apr. 16 and Apr. 17 against No. 2 Cal State Fullerton. Matt figured prominently in one of the Tigers' biggest victories of 2005, delivering the game-winning, two-run single in Pacific's 2-0 (10) upset victory over No. 12 Stanford on Mar. 29. Matt was named the Big West Player of the Week (Mar. 1 - Mar. 8) as he was 4-for-9 (.444) with two home runs, five RBI, a 1.111 slugging percentage and a .615 on-base percentage in Pacific's 2-1 series win over UCLA. Berezay supplied the Tigers with plenty of offense in their series win over UCLA. In Pacific's 7-5 win over the Bruins on Feb. 26, Matt hammered his third home run of the year and finished the contest 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. He then helped the Tigers to a 10-9 win in the series finale on Feb. 27 against the Bruins when he went 2-for-3 with his fourth dinger. Berezay picked up his third triple of the year in the Tigers' 6-5 win over Saint Mary's on Feb. 11, scoring the winning run in the 11th inning. Berezay opened his Pacific career, with a 3-for-5 performance in the Tigers' 5-4 win over Cal on Feb. 2 and slammed his first home run.<b>Junior College:</b> <p> Berezay came to Pacific after two seasons at Modesto JC, where he helped the Pirates post a combined 37-13 record in 2003 and 2004. Matt finished the 2004 season with a .330 average, including nine home runs, eight doubles and 46 RBI. As a freshman, Berezay hit .350 with 22 doubles, six home runs and 39 RBI. Following both seasons, Matt was named to the All-CCC (Central California Conference) First Team.<b>High School:</b> <p> Berezay graduated from Sierra High School in Manteca, Calif. in 2002. As a member of the Timberwolves, Matt earned three letters in baseball and was named to the All-VOL (Valley Oak League) First Team in 2000, 2001 and 2002. As a senior, Berezay had a .456 average with five home runs. One year earlier, he hit .480 with 13 doubles, five round trippers and 42 RBI. That performance earned Berezay the 2001 VOL Player of the Year award.<b>Personal:</b> <p> Matt Berezay is the son of Dave and Janet Berezay. He has three siblings, Paul (24), Melanie (20) and Mike (19). In his second year at Pacific, Matt is a communication major.